A diagnosis of breast cancer just over a year ago followed by surgery at Bassett Healthcare led Cooperstown resident Wendy Kiuber down a road she’d never run before—literally and figuratively speaking. She completed her first marathon , the “26.2 With Donna Marathon,” February 15 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Wendy was able to raise $2,000 in support of breast cancer research. Pictured, right, with her husband Peter (center), their two children Ashley and Peter Joseph (PJ), and a colleague, Amy VanKampen, left. Kiuber, who works at Bassett, says early detection made a huge difference in her treatment and she hopes others can learn from her story, about breast cancer prevention, and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and regular screenings. (Photo submitted)

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer at Christmastime in 2007, right around a year ago. When I found out, it stopped me right in my tracks. I needed surgery within a month,” explained Kiuber. She ran the 26.2 miles, she said, “For my daughters who, because of my diagnosis, now have a 50 percent chance of getting breast cancer. For my grandmother who died too young from breast cancer in 1986. For all of the women young and old who have battled the disease or had ‘ close calls.’ For everyone who has had someone close to them affected by breast cancer. For all of those who might be affected in the future, I run for them all.”